The Nigeria Police Force has paraded two doctors and two other suspects over their alleged involvement in an organ harvesting and human trafficking syndicate operating in Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory.
The suspects were paraded on August 27 by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) following their arrest during a sting operation at Auta Balifi in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The suspects are Emmanuel Ode, 23, of Auta Balifi, Nasarawa State; Dr Benjamin Oyime, 48, a nephrologist and consultant to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja; Dr Daniel Otukpa, 53, also a nephrologist and Acting Director of Clinical Services at Wellington Hospital; and 25-year-old David Idoko.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, said the police operation was carried out on August 19 at about 6pm, following credible intelligence on the activities of the alleged syndicate.
He said clothes allegedly purchased with proceeds from the crime were recovered during the operation.
According to the police, one of the suspects, Ode, confessed during interrogation to recruiting victims under false pretences.
The police said Ode allegedly disclosed that he lured a 22-year-old victim, identified as Samuel Ezekiel, to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja, on April 24, 2026, where the victim’s kidney was allegedly harvested.
The suspect allegedly claimed that the kidney was sold for $1,250, which the police valued at about N1.7 million.
The police also said another alleged victim claimed that he was recruited by the same agent in 2022 and taken to a hospital where his kidney was harvested, after which he was paid N7 million.
Iniedu said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects and their accomplices allegedly targeted vulnerable and poorly educated young persons in Nasarawa State and neighbouring areas, exploiting their financial hardship to obtain consent for illegal organ harvesting.
“Evidence gathered indicates that the suspects forged official documents, including victims’ names, National Identification Numbers, birth certificates, age declarations, affidavits and consent letters to facilitate these criminal activities,” the police spokesman said.
He said the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to dismantling human trafficking and organ harvesting networks across the country and protecting vulnerable citizens from exploitation.
The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects allegedly connected to the syndicate who are currently at large.
The suspects are expected to face further investigation and possible prosecution, subject to the outcome of the ongoing probe.
